Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-08-19
On tha floor near by lay Richard

knocked him down, as IL crusheu
his skull over the right eye
Another blow on the back of his
head crushed his skull, and two
other blows, one OYER the right eve,
and another in the forehead.
Close by his side lay little Char
lie Voolfolk, just five years old
next week, and to slay him the
6endish murderer resOrted to the
wicked blade of the terrible instru-
ment, already soaking with blood.
| His little skull was clOven deeply
from the top, and to make his work
sure the murderer struck him an
other blow with the poll of the axe
on the little fellows right temple
The
BEpDING DRIPPED WITH BLOOD
the floor was a pool of gore, the
walls we're all bespattercd with the
same dark stains.
Across the hallway is another
room, which was occupied by the
girls. In there slept Miss Pearl,
little Annie Rosebud, and an old
lady visitor, Mrs. Temple West
After the slaughter in the first room
the murderer entered the north
west room and there little Annie,
aged ten, had been awakened by
the noise and ran screaming with
fear as if she would have escaped
by the window. She was dealt a
ruffianly blow behind the left ear,
followed by others on the left tenn
pie and on the left side of the neck.
There was dark bruise on her
back, probably caused by a blow
| intended to stun her and keep her
from leaping out Of the window
| Her face was horribly distorted, as
though she was in the act ofscream'
ing when stricken down.
On bed adjoining lay little
Rosebud, aged seven, as if she had
never been awakened by the en-
trance of the fiend. A slight stroke
on the shoulder showed where the
fatal axe had glanced, and a terri
bic blow behind the left ear showed
how we'll the weapon had done its
work. Not content with robbing
the cradle, the william must needs
rob the grove, and by the side of
the little girl lay Mrs. Temple
West, eighty-fOur years old, with
her withered features distorted by
two ugly wounds, one behind the
left ear and the other in the left
temple. All these we're dealt with
the poll of the axe, and the wounds
we're most horrid. From all ap-
pearances, neither the old lady nor
the little girl with her, ever knew
what struck them.
Miss Pearl was recently a pupil
of the LAGRANGE Female College,
and was one of the most loveable
and accomplished young ladies IN
the country. Mrs. West arrived
at the Voolfolk home on Thursday
last. She is sister of DR.. r. G..
Black and Mayor w. A. Black, of
Americas. She was also relative
of Mrs. Voolfolk, and had come to
spend some time with the family.
INVESTIGATION BY THE CORONER.
Those who arrived first at the
scene of the tragedy found every
thing in such a shocking condition
that they decided to notify the cor
oner and other officers at once
After Tom Voolfolk, the only sur
viyor, had been locked in the room
and a guard placed at the door, the
neighbors sent for the officials
Coroner Hodnett arrived, and the
following were sworn in:
w. L. hughes, w. A. Davis, Nj
NJ. Folsom, w. II. Jones, L. NJ. Hal
sey, T. II. Clay, II. J. Brown, W.
J. Mosely, J. G. Kalley, Henry Par
ker, r. NJ. Gilbert, n. A, Powers
The first witness examined was
Anderson James (colored), who
lives on the place. He swore that
at about two hours before day light
he was awakened by Tom Wool
folk calling tor Green Lockett, who
lived near, and saying that Captain
Voolfolk and all his family had
been murdered. Anderson arose
and ran to Lockett's house, where
he found Voolfolk in his nigh
clothes, barefooted and bareheaded
After little stay Voolfolk wen
up to the house, stayed some ten
minutes, and returned and asked
Anderson to 90 for assistance
Anderson did so met w. IL. Smitl
on the way, and carried the new
to other neighbOrs. After he re
turned he found Voolfolk sittinl
near the root of a tree talking Il
Mr.. Smith, at the Voolfolk house
Green Lockett (cOlOred) wa
sworn, and he said he was awaken
ed by Tom Voolfolk calling him
The latter said "Father ant
mother are killed, and want yo
to 90 up there and see what is tn
matter"
Lockett was too badly scared t
20, but Voolfolk went up to tn
house and returned, begging Lock
: EFT to send word to the neighbOr'